For Immediate Release
Contact: Jeff Tittel, NJ Sierra Club, 609-558-9100
U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced today [May 14] that he has received the endorsement of the Sierra Club. Founded in 1892, the Sierra Club is the nation’s most enduring and influential grassroots environmental organization with over 3.5 million members and supporters. Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club released the following statement:
“Congressman Gottheimer has been a leader when it comes to protecting our environment on a local and national level. He is an advocate for full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, fighting to get lead out of our schools, cleaning up toxic sites, protecting the Wallkill River National Refuge and moving forward on cleaning up harmful algae in Greenwood and Lake Hopatcong. We proudly endorse Congressman Gottheimer for another term.
“The Congressman has been a leader at the capitol but also in his community when it comes to protecting the environment and our health. Congressman Gottheimer was the frontrunner on getting DEP enforcement to protect the people of Vernon from illegal dumping and holding polluters accountable.
“Protecting and preserving New Jersey’s precious trails like the Appalachian Trail and Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Areas is also part of the Congressman’s green agenda. Trails are important for recreational uses. They help people enjoy open space and stay healthy. New Jersey’s parks serve as places for people to spend vacation time with their families, enjoy nature, and exercise, providing a higher quality of life. New Jersey needs to do a better job at promoting trail maintenance and protecting parks and green spaces as a way to ensure all people have a right to enjoy the great outdoors.
“Congressman Gottheimer is standing up to the Fossil Fool in the White House by supporting legislation that would permanently ban offshore drilling off the Atlantic Coast. The possibility of an oil spill or leak would threaten New Jersey’s billion-dollar coastal economy and jeopardize over 50,000 jobs. Our state will not only be at risk from a spill or explosion, but we will see more climate impacts threatening people and property.
“The Congressman is also an advocate for clean water and open space and has a stellar voting record when it comes to protecting the air we breathe and the water we drink. He works hard to protect the environment for the people of 5th district. He has shown to be an environmental leader and we are proud to endorse him.”